California Community Service
California Community Service & Volunteer Programs
Statewide directory of community service and volunteer programs in California that may work with people on probation, parole, diversion, or other justice-involved programs. Policies change often — always confirm with your officer, attorney, or court before starting hours.
Statewide & Online Hubs
Statewide volunteer directories and referral systems
✅ Verified Statewide Volunteer Systems
California Volunteers – Office of the Governor
State office that hosts a searchable database of volunteer projects across California. For court-ordered hours, confirm each project with your officer.
State office that hosts a searchable database of volunteer projects across California. For court-ordered hours, confirm each project with your officer.
Online
2-1-1 California (United Way)
Call 2-1-1 from anywhere in California to find local nonprofits, food banks, shelters, and programs that may host community service volunteers.
Call 2-1-1 from anywhere in California to find local nonprofits, food banks, shelters, and programs that may host community service volunteers.
Dial 211
JustServe.org – Community Service Platform
Online platform listing service projects for churches and nonprofits statewide. Some projects may accept court-ordered hours with prior approval.
Online platform listing service projects for churches and nonprofits statewide. Some projects may accept court-ordered hours with prior approval.
Online
🛠️ Eligible General Volunteer Search Sites
VolunteerMatch / Idealist.org
Large volunteer search engines. Many listings are fine for community service, but you must ask each site if they sign off court-ordered hours.
Large volunteer search engines. Many listings are fine for community service, but you must ask each site if they sign off court-ordered hours.
Online
Los Angeles County
County: Los Angeles
✅ Verified Court-Connected & Referral Programs
LA Superior Court – CSRA List
Official Community Service Referral Agencies used by the Superior Court (e.g., Assistance League, Volunteer Centers). Use the list when ordered by an LA court.
Official Community Service Referral Agencies used by the Superior Court (e.g., Assistance League, Volunteer Centers). Use the list when ordered by an LA court.
Countywide
Volunteer Center – South Bay / Harbor / Long Beach
Runs a Court-Referred Community Service Program and HAM/MADD classes for LA County courts; multiple offices in Torrance, Long Beach, and LAX area.
Runs a Court-Referred Community Service Program and HAM/MADD classes for LA County courts; multiple offices in Torrance, Long Beach, and LAX area.
(310) 212-5009
Southern California Service Corps (Pomona)
Volunteer center in the Inland Valley that places court-referred community service workers with partner agencies in and around Pomona.
Volunteer center in the Inland Valley that places court-referred community service workers with partner agencies in and around Pomona.
(909) 629-1187
Community Referee / CRCS-Type Programs
Some LA-area agencies operate Community Service (CRCS) programs that match defendants to nonprofit worksites. Follow the specific instructions on your court paperwork.
Some LA-area agencies operate Community Service (CRCS) programs that match defendants to nonprofit worksites. Follow the specific instructions on your court paperwork.
Use the court or probation handout for exact office contact
Varies
🛠️ Eligible General Volunteer & Service Centers
L.A. Works – Volunteer Action Center
Large volunteer center offering projects across LA County. Some projects may sign off community service hours; ask staff before registering.
Large volunteer center offering projects across LA County. Some projects may sign off community service hours; ask staff before registering.
Online / Countywide
211 LA – Community Service Referrals
Information and referral line that can point you to food banks, shelters, and nonprofits that sometimes host court-ordered volunteers.
Information and referral line that can point you to food banks, shelters, and nonprofits that sometimes host court-ordered volunteers.
Dial 211
Bay Area & North Coast
Counties: San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Marin and nearby
✅ Verified Court-Aware Community Service Sites
Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano
Accepts court-ordered community service volunteers for certain non-violent cases at its food distribution sites. Requires online request and approval.
Accepts court-ordered community service volunteers for certain non-violent cases at its food distribution sites. Requires online request and approval.
Countywide
Central California Food Bank (visitors from Bay Area courts)
Allows some court-ordered/community service volunteers at its distribution warehouse with prior approval and paperwork.
Allows some court-ordered/community service volunteers at its distribution warehouse with prior approval and paperwork.
Fresno-based
🛠️ Eligible Regional Volunteer Networks
HandsOn Bay Area
Volunteer hub connecting people to projects with schools, parks, and nonprofits around the Bay. Some partner sites may sign off hours with approval.
Volunteer hub connecting people to projects with schools, parks, and nonprofits around the Bay. Some partner sites may sign off hours with approval.
Bay Area
Regional 2-1-1 Lines (Bay Area)
Dial 2-1-1 in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, etc., to ask for nonprofits that regularly work with volunteers and may accept court-ordered service.
Dial 2-1-1 in San Francisco, Alameda, Contra Costa, Solano, etc., to ask for nonprofits that regularly work with volunteers and may accept court-ordered service.
Dial 2-1-1 or search local 211 site
Dial 211
San Diego & Imperial Counties
Counties: San Diego, Imperial
✅ Verified Court-Ordered Volunteer Programs
HandsOn San Diego – Court-Ordered Volunteers
Structured process to register as a court-ordered volunteer and complete hours through approved projects across San Diego County.
Structured process to register as a court-ordered volunteer and complete hours through approved projects across San Diego County.
Countywide
San Diego County Parks & Recreation
County program that enrolls adults needing court-ordered community service or hard labor to complete hours through park maintenance projects.
County program that enrolls adults needing court-ordered community service or hard labor to complete hours through park maintenance projects.
Countywide
City of San Diego – Parks & Recreation
Offers court-referred community service assignments (litter pickup, park clean-ups, etc.) through an online application process.
Offers court-referred community service assignments (litter pickup, park clean-ups, etc.) through an online application process.
City of San Diego
Feeding San Diego
Food bank with a process for volunteers needing court-ordered community service; check their rules before signing up.
Food bank with a process for volunteers needing court-ordered community service; check their rules before signing up.
Countywide
🛠️ Eligible Other Volunteer Options (Ask First)
The San Diego LGBT Community Center
May allow court-ordered volunteers for certain signature events (e.g., Dining Out for Life) and phone banking with prior coordination.
May allow court-ordered volunteers for certain signature events (e.g., Dining Out for Life) and phone banking with prior coordination.
San Diego
San Diego Humane Society
Animal welfare nonprofit that can verify some court-ordered community service hours after volunteers meet its orientation requirements.
Animal welfare nonprofit that can verify some court-ordered community service hours after volunteers meet its orientation requirements.
Regional
Central Valley
Counties: Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Kings, Merced, Stanislaus, San Joaquin and nearby
✅ Verified Court-Ordered Community Service Programs
HandsOn Central California (Fresno)
Volunteer center that connects people to court-ordered service opportunities in the Fresno area through its Court Referral staff.
Volunteer center that connects people to court-ordered service opportunities in the Fresno area through its Court Referral staff.
(559) 237-3101
Volunteer Center of Kern County
Operates the Court-Ordered Community Service Program for Kern County and sends volunteers to nonprofits and public agencies.
Operates the Court-Ordered Community Service Program for Kern County and sends volunteers to nonprofits and public agencies.
Bakersfield
Poverello House (Fresno)
Hospitality and meal program that accepts some court-ordered community service volunteers, usually referred through HandsOn or partner agencies.
Hospitality and meal program that accepts some court-ordered community service volunteers, usually referred through HandsOn or partner agencies.
Fresno
🛠️ Eligible Other Valley Volunteer Sites
Good Samaritan Training Center – Food Pantry
Food pantry in Stockton that notes it can host court-ordered community service volunteers for basic warehouse and distribution tasks.
Food pantry in Stockton that notes it can host court-ordered community service volunteers for basic warehouse and distribution tasks.
Phone: (209) 469-7098 (confirm court-ordered policy)
Stockton
Regional Food Banks (Valley-wide)
Many county food banks (Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus, etc.) use volunteers and sometimes accept court-ordered hours; ask to speak with volunteer coordinator.
Many county food banks (Fresno, Merced, Stanislaus, etc.) use volunteers and sometimes accept court-ordered hours; ask to speak with volunteer coordinator.
Start with local 2-1-1 or county food bank website
Valley-wide
Central Coast / Santa Cruz & Monterey
Counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo
✅ Verified Court-Aware Community Service
Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County
Runs a Court Community Service Program that assigns people with court orders to nonprofit worksites and tracks hours for the courts.
Runs a Court Community Service Program that assigns people with court orders to nonprofit worksites and tracks hours for the courts.
(831) 427-5070
🛠️ Eligible Other Coastal Volunteer Options
Local Volunteer Centers & JustServe / VolunteerSLO
San Luis Obispo and Monterey areas use volunteer hubs (like VolunteerSLO or JustServe) to connect people with projects; some may work for community service.
San Luis Obispo and Monterey areas use volunteer hubs (like VolunteerSLO or JustServe) to connect people with projects; some may work for community service.
Search “volunteer center” + your city and confirm with each site
Regional
Sacramento & Northern Sierra
Counties: Sacramento, Placer, Yolo and nearby
✅ Verified Court-Linked Volunteer Options
HandsOn Sacramento – Court-Ordered Service
Regional Center for Volunteerism that lets some people complete court-ordered community service through approved partner agencies.
Regional Center for Volunteerism that lets some people complete court-ordered community service through approved partner agencies.
Sacramento region
Sunrise Christian Food Ministry
Food pantry in Sacramento that accepts some court-ordered community service volunteers after an intake process.
Food pantry in Sacramento that accepts some court-ordered community service volunteers after an intake process.
Sacramento
🛠️ Eligible Other Regional Volunteer Sites
Placer SPCA – Community Service Projects
Animal welfare nonprofit offering youth and community service projects; some locations may allow court-related hours with prior approval.
Animal welfare nonprofit offering youth and community service projects; some locations may allow court-related hours with prior approval.
Roseville
City of Roseville – Volunteer Center Listings
Online portal that includes some agencies (e.g., Goodwill, MADD) that may host court-ordered community service after screening.
Online portal that includes some agencies (e.g., Goodwill, MADD) that may host court-ordered community service after screening.
Roseville
Verification & Documentation: Sites marked ✅ Court / supervision-aware either mention court-ordered or justice-involved volunteers on their website or are commonly used by courts, probation, or diversion programs. Policies can change at any time. Always call ahead, disclose your supervision status honestly, and get written approval from your officer, attorney, or judge before counting any hours.
Fees & eligibility: Some referral programs charge registration or administrative fees, or only accept certain offense types (for example, no violent or sex-offense cases). Make sure you understand any fees, dress code, and rules before you sign up.
Legal restrictions: If you have crime-specific conditions (distance from schools, contact with minors, driving limits, or no-contact orders), confirm that the site and duties are allowed under your judgment and supervision paperwork.
Get listed or updated: Are you a California nonprofit or public agency that regularly accepts court-ordered or probation community service volunteers? Email contact@oacra.app with your program details and any court or supervision approvals so we can review your listing.
